The Gospel Of Matthew Chapter 3 Part 3 The Glory Of Jesus' Baptism!

Jesus' baptism by John marks the beginning of His public ministry.

Matthew 3:13  Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. 

For centuries before Christ, the Jews used bathing in water as a ritual cleansing ceremony (See Leviticus 14:1–4; 8–9; 15:4; 6–11; 13; 16–22; 27; Numbers 19:7).

John the Baptist used the ritual of baptism and applied it to those who saw their need for spiritual cleansing in preparation for the arrival of Messiah.

Many believed John’s message and were baptized by him (Matthew 3:5–6). 

The preaching and baptisms John performed had the specific purpose of preparing hearts for the coming of the Lord (See Matthew 3:3).

John’s baptism had to do with repentance because it symbolized changing one’s mind and going a new direction.

Multitudes came to John confessing their sins and were baptized by him in the Jordan River (See Matthew 3:6).

Being baptized by John meant acknowledging one’s sin and a desire for spiritual cleansing. 

It also meant having renewed commitment to follow God’s law in anticipation of the Messiah’s arrival.

John's baptism was a baptism of repentance for sinners. 

Acts 19:3-4  And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. 4)  Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

The gospels and the apostle Paul made it clear that John's baptism is a "baptism of repentance." 

We are immediately alerted to something unique about Jesus Christ the Son of God coming to John the Baptist for baptism.

Jesus was born as the sinless Son of God. 

He is named Emmanuel, which means "God with us."

His own name means "Jehovah saves."

Paul says Jesus is "God manifest in the flesh" (See 1 Timothy 3:16).

We ask the obvious question. "Why did the sinless Son of God come to John to receive the baptism of repentance from John?"

With the words "Then cometh Jesus" John introduced Jesus as He begins His work. 

Through baptism Christ is solemnly set apart to His great office of Messiah and Redeemer. 

The word “cometh” shows that Jesus voluntarily submitted to John's baptism of repentance.  

Jesus left Galilee and Nazareth where He had lived for nearly 30 years, and came to  the Jordan River, where John was baptizing great numbers of people.  

We remember that one of John's main purposes was to introduce the Messiah to the world (See Matthew 3:3).

Therefore, by receiving the baptism of repentance, Jesus is introduced as Messiah.

John initially resisted Jesus submission to the baptism of repentance.

Matthew 3:14-15  But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? 15)  And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. 

Yet, the main issue remains. Why did the sinless Son of God receive a baptism of repentance directed at sinners?

John recognized this as well and he did not want to baptize Jesus because he knew this was a baptism for sinners.

John publicly said "I have need to be baptized of thee" to Jesus. 

John knew that he was also a sinner, even though he ministered in the spirit and power of Elijah.

Thus, John did not at first understand why Jesus wanted to be baptized.

Jesus Christ was sinless. He was without spot or blemish. He never sinned because He is God in the flesh.

The answer is one of identification. 

Jesus is the sinless Son of God, but He was born to die in the place of all sinners, for the wages of sin is death (See Romans 6:23).

Thus, Jesus identified with all sinful humanity when He received John's baptism. 

This also connects to the Old Testament requirements of offering a sacrifice for sins.

Christ the Lamb of God became the sinner's perfect substitute sacrifice.

Leviticus 1:2-5  Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering unto the LORD, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock. 3)  If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD. 4)  And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him. 5)  And he shall kill the bullock before the LORD: and the priests, Aaron's sons, shall bring the blood, and sprinkle the blood round about upon the altar that is by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

Each person who sinned came to the priest to offer a sacrifice for his sins.

It was to be a voluntary offering of the sinners free will.

The sinner was to confess his sin and put his hand on the head of the animal.

In this manner a sinner is identified that he is a sinner worthy of death. 

The sinner acknowledged that his sins were put on a substitute, an animal that would die for the sinners' transgressions.

God counted this act as transferring the sinners transgression to the animal, so that it died in place of the sinner.

This all pointed to Christ on the cross as God's perfect Lamb, who would ultimately take away the sins of the world.

Thus, the sinner identifies himself with the bull that would die in his place.

This is why each animal had to be spotless, with no defects or disease. 

All this foreshadowed the sinless Son of God dying in our place, shedding His eternal blood to fully atone for our sins.

By receiving John's baptism of repentance, Jesus showed His main mission was going to the cross after perfectly fulfilling God's law for us.

Christ came to suffer and die bearing our sins in His body on the cross.

1 Peter 2:21-24  For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22)  Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23)  Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 24)  Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 

Under the guiding hand of the Holy Spirit, Peter teaches us that Christ suffered "for us." 

Jesus never suffered for His own sins because He never sinned.

Peter makes it clear that Jesus "did not sin." 

Instead Jesus suffered for us, shed His blood to atone for our sins and died for us. 

Christ Jesus "bare our sins in His own body on the tree (cross)."

This is why Jesus received the baptism of repentance from John. 

He was going to bear the sins of all humanity since the creation of man.

When John the Baptist saw Jesus he declared "Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world" (John 1:29).

The death of Christ is counted as our death, and His resurrection is the guarantee of our resurrection and the foundation of our hope (See Romans 6;1-14).

In like manner, Christ's baptism of repentance is counted for our baptism of repentance.

When we repent and turn by faith to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, His baptism, His death, His resurrection and His ascension to the Father are counted as our very own.

It is presented as an accomplished fact even though it is a future reality for us. 

The moment we die, we will be absent from our body but present with the Lord because His repentance, His sufferings, His death, His resurrection and His ascension will be ours too.

Jesus is both Son of God and Son of man and He identified with all humanity in His saving work.

Hebrews 2:10-15  For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11)  For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12)  Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. 13)  And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me. 14)  Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15)  And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 

The writer of Hebrews tells us that Christ Jesus suffered for us so that He might bring to the Father all who repent and trust Him for salvation. 

He will bring us to glory with Himself!

Because the children of God are born with flesh and blood, the Son of God must also take on the same human nature.

Through the voluntary death of the sinless Son of God, Christ destroyed the great enemy who had the power of death.

God had a special purpose for Christ's submission to John's baptism.

Matthew 3:14-15  But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? 15)  And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. 

John the Baptist did indeed comply with Christ's request and he baptized Jesus.

Our Lord said that His baptism was necessary to fulfill or complete all righteousness. 

There are several reasons why it was fitting for John to baptize Jesus at the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. 

Jesus was about to embark on His great work, and it was appropriate that He be recognized publicly by His forerunner. 

John was the “voice crying in the wilderness” prophesied by Isaiah, calling people to repentance in preparation for their Messiah (Isaiah 40:3). 

By baptizing Jesus, John was declaring to all that hear was the One they had been waiting for, the Son of God, the One he had predicted would baptize “with the Holy Spirit and fire” (See Matthew 3:11).

Jesus’ baptism by John takes on an added dimension when we consider that John was of the tribe of Levi and a direct descendant of Aaron. 

Luke specifies that both of John’s parents were of the Aaronic priestly line (See Luke 1:5). 

One of the duties of the Old Testament priests was to present the sacrifices for people's sins before the Lord. 

John's baptism of Jesus was like a priestly presentation of the Christ, the ultimate sacrifice. 

John’s words the day after he baptized Jesus connect to the priest's duties. “Behold the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).

Jesus’ baptism also showed that He identified with sinners. 

His baptism symbolized the sinners’ baptism by faith into the righteousness of Christ, dying with Him and rising free from sin and able to walk in the newness of life. 

His perfect righteousness would fulfill all the requirements of the Law for all humanity, doing for us what we can never do. 

When John hesitated to baptize the sinless Son of God, Jesus replied that it was proper to “fulfill all righteousness” (See Matthew 3:15). 

By this He alluded to the righteousness that He provides to all who come to Him to exchange their sin for His righteousness (See 2 Corinthians 5:21).

What happened next is astonishing!

Heaven opens as the Son is glorified by His Father and empowered by His Spirit!

Matthew 3:16-17  And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17)  And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 

What a sight this must have been for John to see heaven opened up, to see the Spirit of God descend and land upon Christ like a harmless and pure dove.

This display of heavenly glory was capped off with the voice of the heavenly Father telling the world "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!"

Matthew taught us that John the Baptist is the forerunner of Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

John's ministry was prophesied by Isaiah and Malachi.

John's baptism of repentance was aimed at calling sinners to repentance, faith in God and obedience to His law.

The gospel of Christ include the baptism of Jesus.

Jesus identified Himself with all mankind.

Though He never sinned, He accepted the baptism of repentance because He came to bear our sins in His body on the cross.

Jesus' baptism also marks the beginning of His public ministry.

Jesus' baptism reminds us that He is the sinners only hope, our perfect substitute Lamb of God who died for us that we might live through faith in Him.

Bob